Material dispense tips and methods for forming the same

ABSTRACT

A dispense tip constructed and arranged to communicate with a material dispensing pump comprises an elongated neck and a molded base having a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion. The neck extends from the first portion of the base. The second portion is constructed and arranged to abut an outlet surface of the pump. An outermost region of the second portion of the base includes a compressible fluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to the outlet surface when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/174,742 filed on May 1, 2009 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/251,497 filed on Oct. 14, 2009, the entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A material dispense tip, also referred to as a “pin” or “needle,” isutilized in a variety of applications. For example, a material dispensetip, when attached to a material dispensing pump system, is used todeposit a precise amount of fluid material, such as glue, resin, orpaste, at precise positions on a semiconductor substrate. Examples ofsuch material dispensing pumps are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,511,301, RE 40,539, 6,892,959, 6,983,867, and 7,331,482, the contentsof each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

A material dispense tip can be formed according to one of severaldifferent approaches. In one approach, a dispense tip can be formed bymachining a first stock to form a cylindrical neck, machining a secondstock to form a cylindrical base, boring a first hole in the base,inserting the neck into the hole in the base, and forming a second holethrough the base and neck.

In another approach, the neck and the base can be unitary and machinedfrom a common stock, for example, stainless steel, or the neck and thebase can be molded from ceramics.

In another approach, the neck and the base can each be formed bydifferent methods, and of different materials. For example, the dispensetip can include a molded ceramic neck that is attached to a machinedsteel base.

The dispense tip can be attached to a material dispensing pump byinserting the base into a cavity in the pump. The base is held in placein the cavity, for example, by a female Luer™-style fitting, which caninterface with a corresponding male Luer™-style fitting on the pump. Thedispense tip can alternatively be “surface mounted” to a pump, whereinthe base of the dispense tip is held in place against an outlet surfaceof the pump by a nut or other retaining device.

However, when conventional dispense tips are attached to a materialdispensing pump, fluid material can leak from an interface between thebase of the dispense tip and the pump due to the presence ofimperfections such as nicks, cracks, burrs, protrusions, blemishes,dents, or other imperfections on the interfacing surface of the base oron the pump surface against which the base abuts.

Also, a high solvent content may be included in the fluid material to bedispensed in order to prevent the fluid material from coagulating,congealing, drying up and the like in the material path of the dispensetip and the pump. However, these solvents can leach from the materialand escape from cracks or crevices in the interfacing surface of thedispense tip, causing the material to dry up and clog the material path.Such solvents may also permeate the feed tube of the material dispensepump or the wall of the dispense tip, depending on the material used toform the dispense tip. For example, in a case where polypropylene orsilicone materials are employed to form the dispense tip, certainsolvents can permeate these materials.

The base of a conventional dispense tip can be formed by machiningplastics. These plastics can be highly stable, possess favorablehardness properties, be resilient to solvents, and adhere to moldednecks, such as ceramic necks, using adhesives such as two-part epoxy.

In addition, the base comprising such plastics can be machined to closetolerances. However, when machining these plastics from a stock, it isdifficult to deburr the finished base from the stock, which can impedethe flow of material in the material path formed by holes in the baseand neck, or can clog the dispense tip. Further, these plastics havehigh viscosity properties, which are undesirable for precisionmicromolding, since such plastics can be prone to imperfections whenfilling a mold during the molding process for forming the dispense tips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to material dispensetips and methods of forming the same, which overcome the limitationsassociated with the aforementioned approaches. Embodiments are furtherdirected to dispense pump cartridges and dispense pump systems employingsuch material dispense tips and methods of forming the same.

In accordance with one aspect, a dispense tip constructed and arrangedto communicate with a material dispensing pump comprises an elongatedneck and a molded base having a first portion and a second portionopposite the first portion, the second portion having a same width asthe first portion, the neck extending from the first portion of thebase, the second portion constructed and arranged to abut an outletsurface of the pump, an outermost region of the second portion of thebase including a compressible fluid-tight surface that compliantlyconforms to the outlet surface when the dispense tip is mounted to thepump.

In an embodiment, the neck comprises molded materials. In an embodiment,the neck comprises ceramics. In an embodiment, the neck comprisesstainless steel.

In an embodiment, the second portion of the base comprises polyarylenesulfide. In an embodiment, the polyarylene sulfide is polyphenylenesulfide. In an embodiment, the polyphenylene sulfide is linear andpartially crystalline.

In an embodiment, the first and second portions of the base comprisepolyarylene sulfide.

In an embodiment, the base is coupled to the neck by bonding the base tothe neck with a bonding material.

In an embodiment, the bonding material includes a two-part epoxy. In anembodiment, the dispense tip is constructed and arranged to communicatewith a fixed-z material dispensing pump. In an embodiment, the dispensetip is constructed and arranged to communicate with a fixed-z materialdispensing pump.

In an embodiment, the neck comprises an elongated hole that extends froman input end of the neck to an output end of the neck and an inner taperbetween the input end of the neck and the output end of the neck thattransitions the input end to the output end. In an embodiment, a portionof the elongated hole has an inner surface of a first inner diameter andthe output end includes an outlet having an inner surface of a secondinner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the secondinner diameter.

In an embodiment, the base includes a funnel that delivers fluid to theneck, the funnel having a funnel inlet at an input end of the funnel anda funnel outlet at an output end of the funnel, wherein the neckcommunicates with the funnel outlet such that the dispense tip includesa single material path between the funnel outlet and an output end ofthe neck.

In an embodiment, dispense tip further comprises an alignment footcoupled to the base, the foot having a primary axis substantiallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the neck, and being of a lengthlonger than the neck.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip further comprises a plurality ofelongated necks, each neck coupled to the first portion of the base, thebase including a single funnel, each neck including a hole having asingle input end and a single output end, the input end communicatingwith the funnel such that each neck includes a single fluid path betweenthe funnel and the output end of the neck.

In accordance with another aspect, a dispense tip constructed andarranged to communicate with a material dispensing pump comprises anelongated neck and a base coupled to the neck, the base including acompressible surface such that a fluid-tight interface can be formedbetween the compressible surface of the base and the pump by compliantlyconforming the base to the pump when the dispense tip is mounted to thepump, wherein the compressible surface of the base comprises polyarylenesulfide.

In an embodiment, the polyarylene sulfide is polyphenylene sulfide. Inan embodiment, the polyphenylene sulfide is linear and partiallycrystalline.

In an embodiment, the base has a first portion and a second portionopposite the first portion, the neck extending from the first portion ofthe base, the second portion comprising the compressible surface. In anembodiment, the first and second portions have a same width.

In an embodiment, the first and second portions of the base comprisepolyarylene sulfide.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip is constructed and arranged tocommunicate with a fixed-z material dispensing pump. In an embodiment,the dispense tip is constructed and arranged to communicate with afloating-z material dispensing pump

In an embodiment, the neck comprises an elongated hole that extends froman input end of the neck to an output end of the neck and an inner taperbetween the input end of the neck and the output end of the neck thattransitions the input end to the output end. In an embodiment, a portionof the elongated hole has an inner surface of a first inner diameter andthe output end includes an outlet having an inner surface of a secondinner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the secondinner diameter.

In an embodiment, the base includes a funnel that delivers fluid to theneck, the funnel having a funnel inlet at an input end of the funnel anda funnel outlet at an output end of the funnel, wherein the neckcommunicates with the funnel outlet such that the dispense tip includesa single material path between the funnel outlet and an output end ofthe neck.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip comprises an alignment foot coupledto the base, the foot having a primary axis substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the neck, and being of a length longer than theneck.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip comprises a plurality of elongatednecks, each neck coupled to the first portion of the base, the baseincluding a single funnel, each neck including a hole having a singleinput end and a single output end, the input end communicating with thefunnel such that each neck includes a single fluid path between thefunnel and the output end of the neck.

In accordance with another aspect, a material dispensing systemcomprises a material dispensing pump comprising an inlet that receives asource of material and an outlet, wherein the material dispensing pumpoutputs the material from the inlet to the outlet; and a dispense tipcompliantly conforming to a surface of the outlet of the materialdispensing pump. The dispense tip comprises an elongated neck and amolded base having a first portion and a second portion opposite thefirst portion, the second portion having a same width as the firstportion, the neck extending from the first portion of the base, thesecond portion constructed and arranged to abut an outlet surface of thepump, an outermost region of the second portion of the base including acompressible fluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to the outletsurface.

In an embodiment, the neck comprises molded materials. In an embodiment,the neck comprises ceramics. In an embodiment, the neck comprisesstainless steel.

In an embodiment, the second portion of the base comprises polyarylenesulfide. In an embodiment, the polyarylene sulfide is polyphenylenesulfide. In an embodiment, the polyphenylene sulfide is linear andpartially crystalline.

In an embodiment, the first and second portions of the base comprisepolyarylene sulfide.

In an embodiment, the material dispensing system is a fixed-z pumpsystem. In an embodiment, the material dispensing system is a floating-zpump system.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip further comprises an alignment footcoupled to the base, the foot having a primary axis substantiallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the neck, and being of a lengthlonger than the neck.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip further comprises a plurality ofelongated necks, each neck coupled to the first portion of the base, thebase including a single funnel, each neck including a hole having asingle input end and a single output end, the input end communicatingwith the funnel such that each neck includes a single fluid path betweenthe funnel and the output end of the neck.

In an embodiment, the pump includes a cartridge, the outlet at a distalend of the cartridge, and the cartridge further comprises a feed screwthat delivers the material from the pump from the inlet to the outlet.

In an embodiment, the material dispensing system comprises a retainernut that holds the dispense tip in place against the outlet surface.

In an embodiment, the material dispensing system comprises an alignmenttab that extends from the pump, and wherein a portion of the baseincludes a flat surface that abuts the alignment tab.

In accordance with another aspect, a material dispensing systemcomprises a material dispensing pump comprising an inlet that receives asource of material and an outlet, wherein the material dispensing pumpoutputs the material from the inlet to the outlet; and a dispense tipcompliantly conforming to a surface of the outlet of the materialdispensing pump, the dispense tip comprising: an elongated neck; and abase coupled to the neck, the base including a compressible surface suchthat a fluid-tight interface can be formed between the compressiblesurface of the base and the pump by compliantly conforming the base tothe pump when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump, wherein thecompressible surface of the base comprises polyarylene sulfide.

In an embodiment, the polyarylene sulfide is polyphenylene sulfide. Inan embodiment, the polyphenylene sulfide is linear and partiallycrystalline.

In an embodiment, the base has a first portion and a second portionopposite the first portion, the neck extending from the first portion ofthe base, the second portion comprising the compressible surface. In anembodiment, the first and second portions have a same width. In anembodiment, the first and second portions of the base comprisepolyarylene sulfide.

In an embodiment, the material dispensing system is a fixed-z pumpsystem. In an embodiment, the material dispensing system is a floating-zpump system.

In an embodiment, the pump includes a cartridge; the outlet at a distalend of the cartridge, and wherein the cartridge further comprises a feedscrew that delivers the material from the pump from the inlet to theoutlet.

In an embodiment, the material dispensing system further comprises aretainer nut that holds the dispense tip in place against the outletsurface.

In accordance with another aspect, a method of forming a dispense tipthat communicates with a material dispensing pump comprises forming anelongated neck; molding a material to form a base having an outermostcompressible surface; and coupling the base to the neck, wherein thebase comprises an outermost region that includes a compressiblefluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to an outlet surface ofthe pump when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump.

In an embodiment, the material comprises polyarylene sulfide. In anembodiment, the polyarylene sulfide is polyphenylene sulfide. In anembodiment, the polyphenylene sulfide is linear and partiallycrystalline.

In an embodiment, the material has a low viscosity, such that thematerial conforms to the shape of the mold.

In an embodiment, the neck is formed of molded materials. In anembodiment, the neck is formed of ceramics. In an embodiment, the neckis machined from stainless steel.

In an embodiment, the base is coupled to the neck by bonding the base tothe neck with a bonding material. In an embodiment, the bonding materialincludes a two-part epoxy.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises forming an elongated holein the neck that extends from an input end of the neck to an output endof the neck; and forming an inner taper between the input end of theneck and the output end of the neck that transitions the input end tothe output end. In an embodiment, a portion of the elongated hole has aninner surface of a first inner diameter and the output end includes anoutlet having an inner surface of a second inner diameter, the firstinner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter.

In an embodiment, forming the base includes forming a funnel thatdelivers fluid to the neck, the funnel having a funnel inlet at an inputend of the funnel and a funnel outlet at an output end of the funnel,wherein the neck communicates with the funnel outlet such that thedispense tip includes a single material path between the funnel outletand an output end of the neck.

In accordance with another aspect, a dispense tip that communicates witha material dispensing pump comprises an elongated neck, a base, and amaterial path between an outermost region of the base and an outlet ofthe neck; the dispense tip formed according to the process of molding amaterial having low viscosity to form a base; and coupling the base tothe neck, wherein the outermost region of the base includes acompressible fluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to an outletsurface of the pump when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump.

In accordance with another aspect, a dispense tip is constructed andarranged to communicate with a material dispensing pump, and comprisesan elongated neck comprising stainless steel; and a base having a firstportion and a second portion opposite the first portion. The firstportion comprises stainless steel, the second portion comprises acompressible fluid-tight interface that compliantly conforms to anoutlet surface of the material dispensing pump when the dispense tip ismounted to the pump.

In an embodiment, the second portion of the base comprises polyarylenesulfide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the more particular description of preferred embodimentsof the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference characters refer to the same parts throughout thedifferent views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a dispense tip inaccordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front view of the dispense tip of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a material dispensingsystem comprising a dispense tip coupled to a material dispensing pumpin accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a materialdispensing system comprising a dispense tip and a material dispensingpump, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cutaway, assembled perspective view of the materialdispensing system of FIG. 3A, in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3C is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodiment whereinterfacing surfaces of the dispense tip and the material dispensingpump of FIG. 3A in a position where they are separated from each other;

FIG. 3D is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodiment of aninterface between the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump ofFIG. 3B in a position where they are coupled together;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tipincluding an alignment foot, in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a front view of the dispense tip of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip includingmultiple necks coupled to a single base in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a front view of the dispense tip of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip havinga first portion of a base that is separate from a second portion of thebase, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the dispense tip of FIG. 6A, whereinthe first portion of the base is coupled to the second portion of thebase, in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The accompanying drawings are described below, in which exampleembodiments in accordance with the present invention are shown. Specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative. This invention may be embodied in many alternate formsand should not be construed as limited to example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in thedrawings. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on thecontrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,”“connected to” “abutting,” “coupled to,” or “extending from” anotherelement, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”“directly abutting,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there areno intervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

In accordance with embodiments, dispense tips are provided that dispenseprecise amounts of material at precise positions on a substrate. Inaddition, the dispense tips prevent the material, which can includesolids, liquids, and/or gases, from escaping or leaching from a materialpath in the dispense tip during a dispensing operation, or prevent thematerial from leaking from an interface formed between a surface of thedispense tip and a surface of a material dispensing pump against whichthe dispense tip abuts.

To achieve this, the dispense tips in accordance with embodimentscomprise a compliant, deformable base that includes an interfacingsurface at an outermost surface of the base that compliantly conforms tothe surface of the material dispensing pump, and provides a fluid-tightinterface between the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump. Theterm “fluid-tight interface” as used herein is also intended to refer toan airtight interface. Accordingly, the dispense tips prevent leachingof solvents through a surface thereof, and also prevent leaking ofmaterial to be dispensed from the fluid-tight interface.

In accordance with other embodiments, the dispense tips can comprisemolded dispense tips, for example, formed by injection molding. Inparticular, a material is heated to a molding temperature, and injectedinto a mold. The material used to form the molded dispense tip ispreferably a high-flow material, and has low viscosity properties. Incertain embodiments, the dispense tips formed according to the moldingprocess have favorable hardness properties, permitting the dispense tipsto replace conventional steel dispense tips, which provides significantcost advantages over steel tips. In other embodiments, the surface of amolded dispense tip is compliantly compressible when coupled to amaterial dispensing pump, which prevents leaking from occurring at aninterface between the dispense tip and the material dispensing pump. Inother embodiments, the molded dispense tip includes chemical resistanceproperties, which, inter alia, permits the dispense tip to be resistantto the leaching of solvents. In addition, the dispense tips formed bymolding are precision molded, i.e., molded to close tolerances, but donot require machining, and therefore, there is no risk of burrs orparticles resulting from machining, which can become trapped in thematerial path of the dispense tip.

FIG. 1A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a dispense tip200 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 1B is afront view of the dispense tip 200 of FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the dispense tip 200 comprises a neck 210and a base 220 (also referred to herein as a body). In an embodiment,the neck 210 is formed separately from the base 220, and later joined tothe base 220, in which case the base 220 and neck 210 can be coupledtogether via press-fitting, bonding, or welding, or other applicabletechniques. In an embodiment, the neck 210 can be coupled to the base220 by a bonding material. In an embodiment, the bonding material is atwo-part epoxy, or other suitable adhesive known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. In other embodiments, the dispense tip 200 is aunitary dispense tip, wherein the neck 210 and the base 220 are formedfrom a single stock of material that is molded or machined.

In an embodiment, the neck 210 can comprise materials such as stainlesssteel, ceramics, composites such as plastics, glass, composites of thesematerials, or other materials known to those of ordinary skill in theart as being suitable to form a neck that can dispense materials, whichdispensed materials can include solids, liquids, gases, or a combinationthereof.

The neck 210 can be formed by molding, in particular, micromolding, orformed by die casting or machining. The term “micromolding” is a term ofart that is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and, as usedherein, can mean molding small, intricate precision plastic elements orstructures for a variety of applications spanning numerous industries.In an embodiment, the neck 210 is formed by machining a stock such asstainless steel stock or polymer stock, for example, plastic. In anotherembodiment, the neck 210 is formed by molded materials such as ceramicsor polymers such as plastics. In embodiments, the neck 210 is formedaccording to approaches similar to those used to form necks of dispensetips disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,167, 6,981,664, 6,957,783, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/034,313, filed Feb. 20, 2008,entitled “Material Dispense Tips and Methods for Manufacturing theSame,” the contents of each of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

In an embodiment, the neck 210 comprises an outlet bevel 211 about anopening at an output end of the neck, to reduce the amount of surfacetension, or “land,” at the opening, for example, as described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,547,167, 6,981,664, 6,957,783, and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/034,313, filed Feb. 20, 2008, entitled “Material DispenseTips and Methods for Manufacturing the Same,” the contents of each ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In an embodiment, the base 220, for example, at least a second portion222 of the base 220, comprises a material that is compliant ordeformable relative to a surface hardness of a material dispensing pumpto which the base 220 is coupled. As a result of the compliant base,when the dispense tip 200 is coupled to an outlet region of the materialdispensing pump, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or to aconventional dispensing pump, a fluid-tight interface is formed betweenthe base 220 and the material dispensing pump when the dispense tip 200is mounted to the dispensing pump. In an embodiment, the entire base220, at least including a first portion or main body portion 221 and thesecond outermost portion 222, comprises the compliant material. Inanother embodiment, at least the second portion 222 of the base 220comprises the compliant material, such that the second portion 222 ofthe base 220 is more deformable or compliant relative to a surfacehardness of a material dispensing pump than the first portion 221 of thebase 220. In another embodiment, the first portion 221, the secondportion 222, and a third neck-retaining portion 228 all comprise thecompliant material.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in an embodiment, the base 220 is a moldedbase 220 comprising a polymer material having a low viscosity, whereincavities or voids that may otherwise be formed in the mold duringformation of the molded base 220 are filled during the molding process.Therefore, the base 220 includes hardness properties similar to those ofconventional machined bases, but is also resistant to solvents, and alsoincludes a compliantly conforming fluid-tight interface 288, as shown inFIG. 2. Other preferred properties of a molded-type base include aviscosity low enough for the composition to readily conform to the shapeof the mold, high-temperature resistance (e.g., up to about 240° C.),chemical and oxidation resistance, sufficient hardness and rigidity, lowcreep, and low permeability after molding.

In an embodiment, the base 220 includes a first portion 221 and a secondportion 222 extending from a first side surface of the first portion221. In an embodiment, the first and second portions 221, 222 extendalong the thickness (t) of the base 220 and have a same outer width, forexample, a same outer width (w1), and/or a same outer width (w2). Inanother embodiment, the first portion 221 and the second portion 222have different outer dimensions, such as different outer widths.

In an embodiment, the base 220 includes a third portion 228 that extendsfrom a second side surface 227 of the first portion 221, wherein thefirst portion 221 is positioned between the second portion 222 and thethird portion 228. In another embodiment, the third portion 228 extendsfrom a surface of the second portion 222. In an embodiment, the firstand second portions 221, 222 have greater widths than the width of thethird portion 228. The third portion 228 can provide added rigidity tothe dispense tip 200 by extending from the first portion 221 andreceiving the neck 210.

Further, the third portion 228 can provide an improved geometry of thedispense tip 200 with regard to the relationship between the diameter orwidth of the neck 210 and the length of the base 220. Specifically, theaddition of the third portion 228 of the base 220 increases the overalllength of the base 220 from base length (t), also referred to as basethickness, to base length (1). Accordingly, the ratio of base length (1)to neck width (w3) is increased as compared to the ratio of base length(t) to neck width (w3).

This increased ratio is beneficial in embodiments where the base 220 isformed separately from the neck 210, and the neck 210 is coupled to thebase 220 by inserting the neck 210 into a hole (not shown) in the base220. In these embodiments, the base 220 extends along a longitudinalaxis A, and when the neck 210 is inserted into the base 220, the neck210 likewise extends along the longitudinal axis A. It is preferablethat there is no angular deviation between the neck 210 and thelongitudinal axis A. To achieve this, the hole extends through the thirdportion 228, as well as the first and second portions 221 and 222 of thebase 220, and the neck 210 is inserted into the hole at the thirdportion 228 of the base 220 and extends through the third portion 228into at least a portion of the second portion 228 of the neck 210.Accordingly, the increased length (1) of the base 220 relative to theneck width (w3) can minimize or prevent any angular deviation betweenthe neck 210 and the axis A.

The neck 210 can extend from the second side 227 of the base 220, oralternatively, when the base 220 comprises a third portion 228, the neck210 can extend from the third portion 228 of the neck. In embodimentswhere the neck 210 is formed separately from the base 220, the neck 210can be inserted into the third portion 228 of the neck 210. In otherembodiments, the neck 210 and the base 220 including the third portion228 are molded from a common material.

In an embodiment, at least the second portion 222, and optionally thefirst portion 221 of the base 220 comprises a compliant material, suchas a molded polyarylene sulfide. In other embodiments, the first portion221, second portion 222, and third portion 228 comprise a compliantmaterial, such as a molded polyarylene sulfide. In other embodiment, thebase 220 and the neck 210 comprises a compliant material, such as amolded polyarylene sulfide. In an embodiment, the molded polyarylenesulfide is a linear, partially crystalline polyphenylene sulfide, forexample, available FORTRON™ 6165A6 PPS, or various forms of FORTRON™6165A6 PPS, such as FORTRON™ 6165A6NAT, a color designation of thematerial. In an embodiment, at least the second portion 222, andoptionally at least the first portion 221, third portion 228, and neck210 comprise linear polymers.

The abovementioned molded polyarylene sulfide structure can also includeglass fibers and one or more minerals (e.g., chalk, calcium carbonate,wollastonite, silicon dioxide, talc, mica, montmorillonite, and/orphyllosilicates) at a combined weight percent, e.g., 65%. Thepolyarylene sulfide includes repeating units aryl groups bonded bysulfur (thioether) linkages. The repeating unit of polyphenylene sulfide(C₆H₄S) can be expressed as follows:

Approximate mechanical properties of FORTRON™ 6165A6 polyphenylenesulfide are as follows:

Tensile Strength: 130 MPa Strain at Break: 1.2% Tensile Modulus: 19,000MPa Flexural Strength: 210 MPa Flexural Modulus: 18,800 MPa CompressiveStrength: 230 MPa Compressive Modulus: 18,500 MPa Impact Strength(Charpy): 20 kJ/m² Notched Impact Strength (Charpy): 7 kJ/m² NotchedImpact Strength (Izod): 6 kJ/m² Ball Indentation Hardness (30 sec.): 428N/mm² Rockwell Hardness (scale M) 100Other suitable compositions may possess similar approximate mechanicalproperties in combination with a substantial impermeability to solventsfrom the pumped composition.

In an embodiment, the second portion 222 has the same cross-sectionaldimensions, such as width or diameter, cross-sectional surface area,etc., as the first portion 221 along its thickness relative to thelongitudinal axis A, i.e., from an outermost surface 225 (also referredto as a rear face) at a first side of the base 220 to a second side 227of the base 220. Although the cross-sectional dimensions can be referredto herein as including “diameters,” such cross-sections are notnecessarily a perfect circle; thus, the term “diameter” can includeother, non-circular, cross-sectional shapes, for example, thecross-sectional shape of the base 220 shown in FIG. 1B, in which case,the term “diameter” can also refer to “widths” of those cross-sectionalshapes. In another embodiment, the second portion 222 can have differentdimensions than the first portion 221. For example, the second portion222 can have a larger diameter than the first portion 221, or the secondportion 222 can have a different shape than the first portion 221.

In an embodiment, the base 220 is substantially cylindrical. In otherembodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a portion of the base 220 hasa flat surface 226, also referred to as an alignment surface or locator,that extends along a plane that is parallel to the axis A. The flatsurface 226 permits the base 220 to be coupled to a material dispensingpump comprising a locator or tab that protrudes from the pump, forexample, see tab 387 shown in FIG. 3A, which permits the dispense tip200 to be properly aligned with the material dispensing pump 280. In anembodiment, the base 220 includes a chamfer 229, preferably about anedge of the second portion 222, for proper seating of the base 220against a material dispensing pump, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip 200 is compatible with a fixed-zdispensing pump system. In an embodiment, the dispense tip 200 iscompatible with a floating-z (also referred to as compliant-z)dispensing pump system. In a fixed-z dispensing pump system, thelongitudinal positions of the dispense tip and pump are fixed relativeto each other. In a floating-z dispensing pump system, the longitudinalpositions of the dispense tip and pump can translate in a longitudinaldirection relative to each other.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip 200 is operable in a dispensing pumpand gantry system configured to dispense fluid material in the form of adot. In another embodiment, the dispense tip 200 can dispense fluidmaterial in the form of a line. In another embodiment, the dispense tip200 can dispense fluid material in the form of an “X” or a star-shapedpattern by an outlet similar to outlets described with regard to U.S.Pat. No. 6,957,783, incorporated by referenced above. In otherembodiments, the dispense tip 200 can dispense fluid material in theform of other dispensing patterns known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of a material dispensingsystem 10 comprising a dispense tip 400 coupled to a material dispensingpump 280 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In anembodiment, the dispensing pump 280 comprises a detachable pumpcartridge 270. The cartridge 270 includes a feed screw or auger screw290 positioned in a feed screw cavity 291. The feed screw 290 deliversmaterial to an outlet region 295 of the feed screw 290.

In an embodiment, an outermost surface or rear face 425 of a secondportion 422 of the base 420 can be compressed against, and can be madeto compliantly conform to, an outlet surface 283 of the outlet region295 to form a fluid-tight interface 288 between the base 420 and thepump cartridge 270. In one embodiment, the interface 288 is a“surface-mount” interface, wherein the pump 280 and dispense tip 400each has an interfacing surface, wherein the interfacing surfaces aremade to come in contact with each other and retained against each otherunder pressure or force, for example, by a nut, clamp, or otherretaining device that holds the dispense tip 400 in place against theoutlet surface 283. In another embodiment, the interface is a “threaded”interface, for example, a Luer™ or other threaded interface, wherein thedispense tip 400 is attached to or removed from the pump by turning thedispense tip 400 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about theaxis A.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the material dispensing pump 280has a dispense tip interface, referred to for purposes of the presentdisclosure as a “surface-mount” interface, described above, wherein thepump 280 has the abovementioned outlet surface 283 against which thedispense tip 400 abuts, and a retainer nut 284 holds the dispense tip400 in place against the outlet surface 283, and applies a force againstthe base 420 that is sufficient to compress the base 420 against theoutlet surface 283 such that at least the second portion 422 of the base420 is deformable relative to the outlet surface 283 to form afluid-tight seal or interface 288 between the base 420 and the outletsurface 283. In an embodiment, the rotational torque of nut 284 onthreads 292 of the pump outlet translates to a force, which deforms thebase 220 to form the interface 288. In an embodiment, the retainer nut284 is used when the base 420 is a non-threaded base. In otherembodiments, a retaining nut is not required to hold the dispense tip400 in place against the outlet surface 283. Rather, the outlet region295 of the dispensing pump 280 includes a threaded interface, whereinthe base 420 can be attached to or removed from the threaded interfaceof the base 420 by turning the base in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection about the axis A. In other embodiments, the dispense tip 400can interface with other dispensing pumps, for example, pumps having aLuer™-compliant interface, wherein the pump body has a female Luer™fitting at its outlet, which interfaces with a corresponding male Luer™fitting at the inlet of the dispense tip.

In an embodiment, the neck 410 comprises an elongated hole 419 thatextends from an input end 412 of the neck 410 to an output end 414 ofthe neck 410. The neck 410 includes an inner taper 413 between the inputend 412 of the neck 410 and the output end 414 of the neck 410 thattransitions the input end 412 to the output end 414. A portion of theelongated hole 419 has an inner surface of a first inner diameter andthe output end 414 includes an outlet having an inner surface of asecond inner diameter that is less than the first inner diameter. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inner taper 413 is proximal to theoutput end region 414 of the neck. In other embodiments, the inner taper413 can extend from an interface region proximal to the input end 412 ofthe neck 410 to the output end 414 of the neck 410.

In an embodiment, the elongated hole 419 has a first inner diameter thatis substantially constant along the length of the hole 419. In anotherembodiment, the neck hole 419 comprises a taper or draft from the inputend 412 of the neck hole 419 to an outlet hole at the outlet end 414,such that a diameter at an input end 412 of the neck hole 419 is greaterthan a diameter at an output end 414 of the outlet hole. In anotherembodiment, the neck hole 419 comprises a taper or draft from the inputend 412 of the neck hole 419 to the inner taper 413, such that adiameter at the input end 412 of the neck hole 419 is greater than adiameter at the opposite side of the neck hole 419 near the inner taper413.

The base 420 includes a funnel 431 that delivers fluid to the neck 410.The funnel 431 includes a funnel inlet 435 at an input end of the funnel431 and a funnel outlet 436 at an output end of the funnel 431 that isproximal to the input end region 412 of the neck 410. The neck 410extends from the base 420 and communicates with the funnel outlet 436such that the dispense tip 400 includes a single material path betweenthe funnel outlet 436 and the output end 414 of the outlet hole. In anembodiment, the funnel inlet 435 at the input end of the funnel 431 isaligned with, and has the same or similar dimensions such as width,diameter, circumference, cross sectional surface area, etc., as anoutlet hole 286 in the outlet region 295 of the material dispensing pump280.

In an embodiment, the funnel 431 is formed in the first and secondportions 421, 422 of the base 420. In an embodiment, the funnel 431 isformed in the first portion 421 of the base 420. This embodiment appliesparticularly to configurations where the second portion 422 of the basehas different cross-sectional dimensions than the first portion 421 ofthe base, for example, when the second portion 422 is ring-shaped,doughnut-shaped, and the like, and has a smaller diameter than the firstportion 421. Here, the second portion 422 has a hole that abuts thefunnel inlet, such that an uninterrupted fluid path is provided from oneend of the base 420 to the other end of the base 420.

In an embodiment, the funnel 431 in the base 420 has a funnel angle, forexample, on the order of 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe neck hole 419. Other funnel angles are equally applicable toembodiments of the present invention, depending on the application.

In an embodiment, the outlet region 295 has the same cross-sectionaldimensions as those dimensions of the second portion 422 of the base 420of the dispense tip 400, for example, a same cross-sectional width orthickness.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a material dispensingsystem 20 comprising a dispense tip 300 and a material dispensing pump380, wherein the dispense tip 300 is separated from the materialdispensing pump 380, in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the material dispensingsystem 20 of FIG. 3A, wherein the dispense tip 300 is coupled to thematerial dispensing pump 380, in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention. FIG. 3C is a close-up illustrative side view of an embodimentwhere interfacing surfaces 325, 383 of the dispense tip 300 and thematerial dispensing pump 380 of FIG. 3A, respectively, are in a positionwhere they are separated from each other. FIG. 3D is a close-upillustrative side view of an embodiment of an interface 388 between thedispense tip 300 and the material dispensing pump 380 of FIG. 3B in aposition where they are coupled together.

In the embodiments illustrated and described with regard to FIGS. 3A-3D,the dispense tip 300 includes a molded base 320 having a second portion322 comprising a compliant material similar to that used to form thebase 220 described with regard to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, for example, amolded polyarylene sulfide such as molded polyphenylene sulfide.

In FIG. 3A, the dispense tip 300 is separated from the pump 380, whereinthe molded base 320 of the dispense tip 300 has similar dimensions, suchas base thickness (t1), first width, and second width as those of thebase 220 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, or FIG. 2. In an embodiment, when thebase 320 is attached to the material dispensing pump 380, the thicknessof the base 320 can be reduced in thickness from its first thickness(t1) to a second smaller thickness, for example, thickness (t2), and/orthe cross-sectional dimensions, such as a width of the base 320perpendicular to its thickness, can be increased to a greater width. Inan embodiment, the deformation of the base 320, i.e., the reduction inthickness of the base 320, and/or increase in width or other dimensionsof the base 320, can occur due to a force that is applied to the base320 as a result of a retainer nut 384 in a direction of the axis A alongwhich the dispense tip 300 and the pump 380 are positioned. In anembodiment, the base 320 retains its deformed shape even after asubsequent separation from the pump 380, referred to as “permanentdeformation” or “plastic deformation.” In another embodiment, thedeformation of the base 320 undergoes a temporary shape change when theforce is applied that is self-reversing after the force is removed, andafter the base 320 is subsequently separated from the pump 380, referredto as “elastic deformation.” In an embodiment, little or no deformationis made to the base 320 when the base 320 is attached to the pump 380 toform the fluid-tight interface 388. Specifically, a fluid-tightinterface 388 is formed between an outermost surface 325 of the base 320of the dispense tip 300 and the outlet surface 383 of the outlet region390 of the pump 380 with little or no change in change in thickness,width, length, surface area, or other dimensions.

As described above, a force can be applied to the dispense tip 300 byattaching a retainer nut 384 to the pump 380. Here, the dispense tip 300is positioned between the retainer nut 384 and the pump 380 such that afluid-tight interface 388 is formed between an outermost surface 325 ofthe base 320 of the dispense tip 300 and an outlet surface 383 of anoutlet region 390 of the pump 380. In an embodiment, the pump 380 has asurface-mount interface, wherein the nut 384 includes threads thatinterface with the threads 392 on the pump 380. Here, torque is createdwhen the nut 384 is tightened, which in turn results in a force beingapplied to the base 320, and the abovementioned deformation to occur. Inan embodiment, the dispense tip 300 is attached to the pump 380 bythreading the base 320 to the pump 380, for example, in a Luer™configuration, or by other approaches known to those of ordinary skillin the art such that a fluid-tight interface 388 is formed between thebase 320 of the dispense tip 300 and the surface 383 of the outletregion 390 of the pump 380.

In an embodiment, the base 320 comprises a flat surface 326 that isaligned with a locator or tab 387 that protrudes from the outlet region390 cartridge 370 in a direction along the axis A. In this manner, asshown in FIG. 3A, a hole 386 in the outlet region 390 of the dispensingpump 380 is aligned with a hole (not shown) in the dispense tip 300, forexample, a funnel inlet similar to that shown in FIG. 2, such that asingle uninterrupted material path is formed between the outlet region390 and an outlet 340 at the end of the dispense tip 300.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, an outermost surface 325 of the second portion322 of the base 320 can be compressed against, and tightly abut, anoutlet surface of a dispensing pump 380 to form a fluid-tight seal orinterface 388 between the base 320 and the outlet surface 383 of thepump 380. Thus, in the event that either the outlet surface 383 or thebase surface 325 has any imperfections such as cracks, crevices, and thelike, for example, illustrated in FIG. 3C, the second portion 322 of thebase 320 can compliantly conform to the outlet surface 383 to reduce oreliminate leaking of dispensing material from the interface region 388between the base 320 and the pump 380, or leaching of solvents from thematerial during a dispensing operation that would otherwise occur, forexample, illustrated in FIG. 3D. This can include materials and/orsolvents that comprise solids, liquids, and/or gases, or other commonlydispensed materials and can include solder paste, conductive epoxy,surface mount epoxy, solder mask, epoxies, such as two-part epoxy,underfillers, oils, flux, silicone, gasket materials, glues, resins,pastes, medical reagents, certain materials, and the like, or othermaterials known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The molded base 320 preferably has a substantially flat outermostsurface 325. However, even if imperfections are present on the outermostsurface 325 of the molded base 320, such as protrusion 336 or voids 337shown in FIG. 3C, the fluid-tight interface 388 eliminates or reducesany leaking that may otherwise occur due to the presence of theprotrusion 336 and/or voids 337, in particular, when the protrusion 336extends from the surface less than 0.003 inches.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip 500including an alignment foot 530 in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention. FIG. 4B is a cutaway side view of the dispense tip500 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a front view of the dispense tip 500 of FIG.4A. In this manner, when the foot 530 comes in contact with thesubstrate, the tip opening 514 is a known vertical distance from thesubstrate during a dispensing operation.

The dispense tip 500 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C comprises a neck 510, abase 520, and a vertical alignment foot 530, also referred to as avertical alignment foot. The foot 530 is adapted and configured forreliable and accurate vertical positioning of the tip opening 514 over asubstrate during dispensing of material.

The foot 530 may be formed of a number of materials, includingheat-treated steel, carbide, plastic, ceramic, investment casting,injection molded materials, stainless steel, titanium, gems such asruby, sapphire, and the like, or other materials known to those ofordinary skill in the art as having hardness properties, and may bepress-fit or bonded into the base 520. The foot 530 may be formed toinclude a radiused end 533, to allow for contact with the substratewithout damaging the substrate, for example, when applying a line ofmaterial to the substrate.

In an embodiment, the base 520 comprises a first portion 521 and asecond portion 522, which can be formed in a manner that is similar tothe molded dispense tip bases described herein with regard to FIGS. 1A,1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. In an embodiment, the elements of the base520 comprise materials similar to those used to form the dispense tipbases described above with regard to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3A-3D, forexample, a molded polyarylene sulfide, such as molded polyphenylenesulfide.

In an embodiment, the base 520 comprises two holes: a first hole 531into which the neck 510 is inserted, and a second hole 532 into whichthe alignment foot 530 is inserted. The neck 510 is positioned in thefirst hole 525 and joined to the base 520 by press-fitting, bonding, orwelding, or other applicable techniques.

The neck 510 is inserted into the first hole 531 of the base 520 tointerface with a third hole 519 in the base 520 that extends from afunnel 541 at an outermost surface 525 of the base 520 to the neck 510such that an unobstructed material path is formed from the funnel 541through the hole 519 in the base 520, through a hole 529 in the neck, tothe tip opening 514 at an opposite end of the neck 510.

In an embodiment, the base 520 comprises a third portion 528 thatextends from a surface 527 of the base 520 opposite the outermostsurface 525 of the base 520, wherein the second hole 532 are each formedin the third portion 528 of the base 520, and wherein the first hole 531is formed through the third portion of the base 528 to the first portion521, or the second portion 522.

FIG. 5A is perspective view of an embodiment of a dispense tip 600including multiple necks 610A-D coupled to a single base 620 inaccordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a cutawayside view of the dispense tip 600 of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a cutaway frontview of the dispense tip 600 of FIG. 5A.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, a dispense tip 600 comprisesfour necks 610A-610D coupled to a base 620. However, alternativeembodiments can include dispense tips having different numbers of necks,for example, two necks or six necks coupled to a same base.

In an embodiment, the base 620 comprises four holes or apertures 632 ina portion 628 of the base 620. Each of the holes 632 communicates with alarger hole 619 that extends through the base 620, which in turncommunicates with a funnel 641 proximal to an outermost surface 625 atan end of the base 620 that interfaces with a dispensing pump. The firstthrough fourth necks 610A-610D are joined to a base 620 bypress-fitting, bonding, or welding, or other applicable techniques. Eachneck 610A-610D includes a hole 629A-629D, respectively, having a singleinput end and a single output end. In this manner, a single materialpath is provided between the funnel 641 through the hole 619 and anelongated hole 629A-D to a corresponding outlet 614A-D at the output endof each neck 610A-D, respectively.

In an embodiment, the dispense tip 600 includes an alignment foot 630that is parallel to the necks 610A-D to ensure rigidity and alignment ofthe dispense tip.

FIG. 6A is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a dispense tip700 having a first portion 721 of a base 720 that is separate from asecond portion 722 of the base 720, in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention. FIG. 6B is a perspective side view of the dispensetip 700 of FIG. 6A, wherein the first portion 721 and second portion 722of the base 700 are coupled together, in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

In one approach, the neck 710 and first portion 721 of the base 720 canbe unitary and machined from a common stock, for example, stainlesssteel, or molded from a common material, for example, ceramics. Inanother approach, the neck 710 and first portion 721 of the base 720 canbe formed by different methods, and of different materials, for example,plastics. In some embodiments, the dispense tip 700 including the neck710 and first portion 721 of the base 720 can be formed in accordancewith other approaches described herein.

In other embodiments, the dispense tip having the neck 710 and the firstportion 721 of the base shown in FIG. 6A can be similar to thosedispense tips described with regard to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,167,6,981,664, 6,957,783, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/034,313,filed Feb. 20, 2008, entitled “Material Dispense Tips and Methods forManufacturing the Same,” by Jeffrey P. Fugere, the contents of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In an embodiment, the first portion 721 can have the same outer width,or can be of different dimensions, for example, different outer widths.

The second portion 722 of the base 720 comprises a material that iscompliant relative to a surface hardness of a material dispensing pumpto which the base 720 is coupled. The second portion 722 can comprisematerials similar to those described above, for example, materialssimilar to or the same as those of base 220 of FIG. 1 described above,for example, molded polyarylene sulfide. Accordingly, the second portion722 can include properties, geometries, and features similar to thosedescribed above, and can comprise materials similar to or the same asthose of base 220 of FIG. 1 described above.

The second portion 722 and first portion 721 can be coupled together bybonding or other applicable techniques. In an embodiment, the secondportion 722 can be coupled to the first portion 721 by a bondingmaterial, such as a suitable adhesive known to those of ordinary skillin the art.

As described above, embodiments of the present invention are directed todispense tips that include a compliant molded base that provides afluid-tight interface when abutting the surface of a material dispensingpump during a dispensing operation. In particular, portions of thecompliant base fill the imperfections to form a fluid-tight interfacebetween the base and the pump. Thus, regardless of viscosity or othercharacteristics of the material that is dispensed, the fluid-tightinterface prevents the material, or elements of the material, such assolvents, from leaching that would otherwise occur due to imperfectionsin either the dispense tip or the pump surface.

While embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown anddescribed above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and detail may be made herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispense tip constructed and arranged tocommunicate with a material dispensing pump, the dispense tipcomprising: an elongated neck; and a molded base having a first portionand a second portion opposite the first portion, the second portionhaving a same width as the first portion, the neck extending from thefirst portion of the base, the second portion constructed and arrangedto abut an outlet surface of the pump, an outermost region of the secondportion of the base including a compressible fluid-tight surface thatcompliantly conforms to the outlet surface when the dispense tip ismounted to the pump.
 2. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein the neckcomprises molded materials.
 3. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein theneck comprises ceramics.
 4. The dispense tip of claim 1, wherein theneck comprises stainless steel.
 5. The dispense tip of claim 1, whereinthe second portion of the base comprises polyarylene sulfide.
 6. Thedispense tip of claim 5, wherein the polyarylene sulfide ispolyphenylene sulfide.
 7. The dispense tip of claim 6, wherein thepolyphenylene sulfide is linear and partially crystalline.
 8. Thedispense tip of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of thebase comprise polyarylene sulfide.
 9. The dispense tip of claim 1,wherein the base is coupled to the neck by bonding the base to the neckwith a bonding material.
 10. The dispense tip of claim 9, wherein thebonding material includes a two-part epoxy.
 11. The dispense tip ofclaim 1, wherein the dispense tip is constructed and arranged tocommunicate with a fixed-z material dispensing pump.
 12. The dispensetip of claim 1, wherein the dispense tip is constructed and arranged tocommunicate with a floating-z material dispensing pump.
 13. The dispensetip of claim 1, wherein the neck comprises: an elongated hole thatextends from an input end of the neck to an output end of the neck; andan inner taper between the input end of the neck and the output end ofthe neck that transitions the input end to the output end.
 14. Thedispense tip of claim 13, wherein a portion of the elongated hole has aninner surface of a first inner diameter and the output end includes anoutlet having an inner surface of a second inner diameter, the firstinner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter.
 15. Thedispense tip of claim 1, wherein the base includes a funnel thatdelivers fluid to the neck, the funnel having a funnel inlet at an inputend of the funnel and a funnel outlet at an output end of the funnel,wherein the neck communicates with the funnel outlet such that thedispense tip includes a single material path between the funnel outletand an output end of the neck.
 16. The dispense tip of claim 1 furthercomprising an alignment foot coupled to the base, the foot having aprimary axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the neck,and being of a length longer than the neck.
 17. The dispense tip ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of elongated necks, each neckcoupled to the first portion of the base, the base including a singlefunnel, each neck including a hole having a single input end and asingle output end, the input end communicating with the funnel such thateach neck includes a single fluid path between the funnel and the outputend of the neck.
 18. The dispense tip of claim 1, further comprising achamfer at the second portion of the base.
 19. The dispense tip of claim18, wherein the chamfer is at the outermost region of the second portionof the base.
 20. A dispense tip constructed and arranged to communicatewith a material dispensing pump, the dispense tip comprising: anelongated neck; and a base coupled to the neck, the base including acompressible surface such that a fluid-tight interface can be formedbetween the compressible surface of the base and the pump by compliantlyconforming the base to the pump when the dispense tip is mounted to thepump, wherein the compressible surface of the base comprises polyarylenesulfide, wherein the base has a first portion and a second portionopposite the first portion, the neck extending from the first portion ofthe base, the second portion comprising the compressible surface. 21.The dispense tip of claim 20, wherein the polyarylene sulfide ispolyphenylene sulfide.
 22. The dispense tip of claim 21, wherein thepolyphenylene sulfide is linear and partially crystalline.
 23. Thedispense tip of claim 20, wherein the first and second portions have asame width.
 24. The dispense tip of claim 20, wherein the first andsecond portions of the base comprise polyarylene sulfide.
 25. Thedispense tip of claim 20, wherein the dispense tip is constructed andarranged to communicate with a fixed-z material dispensing pump.
 26. Thedispense tip of claim 20, wherein the dispense tip is constructed andarranged to communicate with a floating-z material dispensing pump. 27.The dispense tip of claim 20, wherein the neck comprises: an elongatedhole that extends from an input end of the neck to an output end of theneck; and an inner taper between the input end of the neck and theoutput end of the neck that transitions the input end to the output end.28. The dispense tip of claim 27, wherein a portion of the elongatedhole has an inner surface of a first inner diameter and the output endincludes an outlet having an inner surface of a second inner diameter,the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter.29. The dispense tip of claim 20, wherein the base includes a funnelthat delivers fluid to the neck, the funnel having a funnel inlet at aninput end of the funnel and a funnel outlet at an output end of thefunnel, wherein the neck communicates with the funnel outlet such thatthe dispense tip includes a single material path between the funneloutlet and an output end of the neck.
 30. The dispense tip of claim 20further comprising an alignment foot coupled to the base, the foothaving a primary axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe neck, and being of a length longer than the neck.
 31. The dispensetip of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of elongated necks, eachneck coupled to the first portion of the base, the base including asingle funnel, each neck including a hole having a single input end anda single output end, the input end communicating with the funnel suchthat each neck includes a single fluid path between the funnel and theoutput end of the neck.
 32. The dispense tip of claim 20, furthercomprising a chamfer at the base.
 33. The dispense tip of claim 32,wherein the chamfer is about at least a portion of the compressiblesurface.